STORRS -- Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis proved that she was much more than a 3-point shooter offensively during an All-American season for UConn a year ago. She did establish a team single-season record with 118 3-pointers. However, she looked to post up inside, took the ball the basket and also used her midrange game to her benefit.

This season Mosqueda-Lewis has become much more predictable. Rather than moving around offensively, she has had a tendency to stand at the 3-point line waiting for a pass.

Her overall lack of creativity came to light Saturday at Cincinnati. With 10:58 left in the second half, Mosqueda-Lewis attempted her first free throw since 6:09 remained in the second half at Memphis Jan. 4. That ended of span of seven-plus games and 232 minutes without attempting a free throw.

"I think when you're a really good free throw shooter, I think you're passing up opportunities if you don't go to the free-throw line,'' UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "And it's just an attitude, making that conscious decision that's what I want to do. And we're trying to constantly reinforce that, and she's gotten better at it in practice. But her tendency is still to just be out on the perimeter all the time.''

Mosqueda-Lewis has also endured a four-plus game, 101-minute stretch without a trip to the free throw line this season. She has been to the line in just three games, making all eight of her free throws overall in a total 400 minutes in 15 games.

Entering tonight's match-up-with SMU at Gampel Pavilion (7; SNY), Mosqueda-Lewis is on pace to attempt 17 free throws in 854 minutes in what would be a 40-game season should the Huskies advance to the NCAA tournament final in Nashville in April.

Among those players that have logged at least 854 minutes in a season, Maria Conlon has attempted the least amount of free throws in team history -- 21 in 988 minutes over 35 games in 2003-04. And, of course, she was then sharing the backcourt with Diana Taurasi.

"She needs to be more aggressive, get in the paint, kind of either post up or drive and get to the foul line,'' UConn senior Bria Hartley said. "She's probably the best free throw shooter on our team, but you wouldn't know because she doesn't get there.''

Mosqueda-Lewis is the top free throw shooter for the Huskies (23-0, 10-0 AAC). In fact, she is second all-time in team history in free throw shooting percentage (.869; 146-of-168). Only Sue Bird was better throughout her career with the Huskies (.892; 189-of-212).

"It probably has to do with being aggressive,'' Mosqueda-Lewis said. "A lot of times when you're more aggressive, when you're going at the basket. Last year a lot of the times that I got free throws was from posting up smaller guards or just posting up in general. And I kind of got away from that. So now that I'm trying to do that hopefully I get to the free throw line more.''

There have been signs of progress over the last two games for Mosqueda-Lewis. Not only is she averaging 17.5 points in her highest scoring two-game total this season, but 16 of her 27 shots came from inside the 3-point arc.

Mosqueda-Lewis attempted a season-high nine shots inside the arc at Temple Jan. 28, making five jumpers and a layup among her eight made field goals. She then attempted seven shots inside the arc at Cincinnati, making two jumpers and a layup among her six made field goals.

"I'm always thinking about what the best teams are going to do,'' Auriemma said. "And if you're a really good 3-pointer and you play a good defensive team I don't think it's that hard to take away a 3-point shooter. But somebody who goes hard to the basket, that's hard to take away. So if want to grow as a player and you want to get better all the time then you have to figure out how to complement your 3-point shooting. Otherwise, that's going away too.''